Alexandra Brad

When I am not in therapy-land, you can find me:

Working out at the gym, playing fetch with my dogs, or relaxing inside with a good TV show or movie. In the winter, I tend to keep things low-key, while in the summer I am almost always outside. If there’s an opportunity to enjoy warm, sunny days and outdoor activities, that’s likely where you’ll find me.

For Self Care:

I view self-care as an intentional time to rest, unwind, and recharge. This often includes relaxing at home with a favourite show while spending time with my dogs, as well as connecting with close friends who bring laughter and a sense of balance. These moments allow me to step away from daily responsibilities and return feeling grounded, refreshed, and present.

For Fun:

I have really fallen in love with playing pickleball and the community that comes with it. Spending time at the courts and meeting people of all ages and backgrounds is one of my favourite parts (I mean, the sport is fun too!). I am competitive by nature, so if I am not playing sports, I’m usually playing board games or card games with friends – I love a good game of Uno!

For Growth:

A lot of my growth right now comes from studying for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), which involves taking in a lot of new information and continually building my knowledge. I plan to continue learning through additional courses and trainings in the future. I also grow a great deal through conversations with other psychologists, as these discussions often spark new interests and help guide what I want to explore next in my professional development.

Something unique about me is:

I can solve a Rubik’s cube (but don’t ask me to show you because I am definitely rusty). When I first learned how to solve it, I was able to solve it in under a minute and a half.

What are your academic credentials?

I hold a Master of Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle. I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from University of Calgary. Through my years of education I have obtained a variety of knowledge that I apply during every conversation I have.

Before I was in the mental health field, I was doing / working in / volunteering at / etc.:

Before entering psychology, I worked as a server in the restaurant industry. This experience helped me come out of my shell as someone who was naturally more shy. I also used to work at a golf course and got to spend my summers driving around on a golf cart! Definitely memories I will cherish forever.

The most impactful thing about my experience here was:

One of the biggest takeaways from working in restaurants was realizing how different everyone is and how little we often know about what someone else may be going through. Many conversations reminded me that a simple, genuine connection can add a bit of positivity to someone’s day.

Three things you are currently obsessed with and why:

1. The colour pink: It’s my favourite colour and slowly is becoming the colour of everything I own as well!
2. TikTok: It is definitely in the top contenders for the most used app on my phone. I need information – TikTok. I need a good laugh – TikTok. I am bored and don’t know what I should do – TikTok! It’s multifaceted.
3. Energy drinks and soda: I am a sucker for a fun drink and since I do not like coffee or tea, soda and energy drinks do the job perfect for me! A fizzy drink might be a common thing you see in my therapy room!

The most helpful book I have read is:

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk.

My biggest takeaway from it was:

My biggest takeaway from this book is realizing how much psychological trauma not only effects the brain but the body and is stored in the nervous system. It emphasizes the need to take care of our body using somatic techniques, just as much as we take care of our brain, and how talking is not always the most effective approach to therapy.

The most interesting article or book I have read is:

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks.

Because:

It goes through neurological case studies of bizarre and unusual disorders that make you constantly think, “There’s no way this is real!” Each chapter was a different disorder, told as a story that kept me hooked and curious about how these patients lived with it.

My favourite podcast (if you listen to podcasts) is:

Diary of a CEO

And the best thing about it is:

I like to hear the perspective of different people, and Steven Bartlett is a great interviewer. It opens up a more vulnerable conversation with famous people and brings out a side you don’t usually see in the media.

Client populations: I have a special interest in working with:

I have a special interest of working with teenagers (12+), adolescents, and younger adults (20-40) because these are times in life where connections really matter, and I want to build that therapeutic relationship so that my clients do not feel like they have to go through these stages alone.

Clinical concern: I have a special interest in working with:

I have a special interest of working with anxiety, ADHD, depression, and boundary setting. I enjoy helping clients make sense of what’s happening in their lives while also walking alongside them through both the challenges and progress that come with these concerns.

Non-clinical concern: I have a special interest in working with:

I have a special interest working with interpersonal relationships (friendships, parental relationships, intimate relationships), life transitions, guilt, self-worth, and body-image. I believe people often have the answers within themselves, and sometimes just need support to help bring those strengths forward.

I have expertise and experience working with:

1. Anxiety: I help clients understand their anxiety, develop effective coping strategies, and build emotional regulation. My approach focuses on reducing avoidance and learning to take control of the anxiety rather than it taking control of them. This is done in a safe environment using evidence-based approaches.
2. Life transitions: I work with clients navigating career changes, relationship shifts, identity development, and major life milestones. I provide a supportive, collaborative space to process uncertainty, grief, and change while helping clients clarify values and goals. Using client-centred approaches, I support clients in building coping skills, strengthening resilience, and developing confidence to move forward with greater clarity, balance, and self-trust.
3. Interpersonal relationships: Using a collaborative, compassionate approach, I support clients in building self-awareness, strengthening communication skills, and fostering more secure, fulfilling relationships in their personal, family, and professional lives.

Some of the clinical orientations, methods, and theories I integrate with ShiftGrit’s therapy protocol:

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): I use CBT to help individuals understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It helps clients recognize patterns in their life and adapt their maladaptive thinking.
2. Solution Focused Therapy (SFT): I use this strategy as a practical approach to focus on the strengths the client has. This empowers them to use the skills they have within them and provides the client with a tangible strategy to walk out of the session with.
3. Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT): This method helps clients better understand their experiences by unlocking emotions they may not recognize in a safe and supportive environment. EFT allows clients to slow down and explore where their feelings come from, allowing them to heal.

People like working with me because:

People like working with me because of my energetic, empathetic, and authentic presence in sessions. I strive to create a safe, collaborative environment where clients feel comfortable showing up as they are and speaking openly if something does not feel aligned during the therapeutic process. I am deeply invested in supporting growth and meaningful change, and I gently encourage clients to keep moving forward, particularly during moments when they feel stuck or uncertain.

Any additional information you want to share:

If you’re unsure where to start or what to talk about in therapy, know that showing up is already the first step, and I’m here to guide you through the rest.